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Gardeners' Notes:

We have a Star Magnolia planted next to our front entrance. It was planted about 21 years ago by a professional landscaper. It has done superbly! Super hardy and always puts on a stunning show! It also takes Pruning very well as I lifted the canopy off the ground about 3 feet to plant a garden below. The cutting wounds (up to 2 inches wide) healed up in less than 2 growing seasons!

Oh, what a beauty this is! In the mornings, blooms are shaped like cabbage roses but as the day progresses they open and look like stars. I detected a slight fragrance but avail. literature does not describe it as fragrant. In my area it thrives in part shade and moist soil.

My tree is relatively young, under 10 years, so I consider the jury to still be out as to its ultimate character in my yard. My main concern is the future size of the tree, given how close it is to the house (as I did not plant it). So far it is a well behaved, mostly upright in habit, and of moderate to slow growth. Certainly not a monster branching shade tree like other Magnolias. The roots are shallow, which deter me from wanting to move it or plant other plants at its base. One of the first things to bloom in the spring, the flowers are actually a brief and *not scented* show before the foliage comes in. I think the foliage and shape of the plant in summer is nondescript, so good for the background. I did get seeds this summer, and I am going to try to propagate them.

This plant is thick with shiny green leaves most of the year. I find the foliage exceptionally attractive. The flowers are gorgeous but do best on a northern exposure so not to bud out too early and get buds frost nipped. The fuzzy buds are attractive winter interest. Makes a good screening plant with its thick foliage.